World climate panel sounds the alarm

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned in its Special Report on Global Warming that the world is heating up faster than previously believed and with more drastic consequences. But the panel claims it is still "technically and economically possible" to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Commentators look at what needs to be done to achieve that goal.

Stop ignoring demographic factors

The topic of demographics must not be ignored in the search for ways to limit climate change, a group of scientists urges in Le Monde:

“Everyone is acting as if demographics and the environment were two separate subjects, even though they're inextricably linked. In fact, if the efforts to improve the environmental efficiency of the developed countries remain the top priority in the short term, the medium term and the long term, the combined impact of future population growth and the inevitable increase in per capita consumption (both in developed countries and in the emerging nations) will lead to a true catastrophe for our planet.”

Intensive logging can continue

In Finland there is a debate about whether fewer trees should be cut down so as not to hinder CO2 absorption. Savon Sanomat believes the Finnish forestry authority's policy of cutting down old trees and planting new ones is the best approach to climate protection:

“In this way the forest is renewed. In the Finnish forestry sector forests are not preserved or turned into museums - even if there have been calls for this and in the worst case this approach could be adopted under the pretext of fighting climate change. And perhaps for no reason, because increasing CO2 absorption doesn't have to conflict with intensive forest industry.”

Climate protection will hurt

The report shows that the climate policies instituted so far have failed, Die Presse writes:

“The terrible thing about climate change is that while we're creating it now, it will only hurt us later on. That's a trap which leads to concerted hypocrisy: politicians celebrate their 'courage' to commit to abstract goals - and never say what meeting them would really mean: namely a massive restructuring of the tax system that includes all of the hidden costs. Making driving a car a luxury, with air travel reserved for the happy few. Anyone who calls for such measures might as well pack his bags and leave. Instead, politicians indulge in visions and put their faith in cosmetic measures involving electromobility and then don't take any concrete measures until the next elections. After us the deluge - literally.”

Saving the planet will be expensive

“To achieve this goal everyone must do their bit and we citizens in particular must change our daily habits: limit our meat consumption, go on foot or by bike instead of driving conventional fossil fuel-driven cars, and travel by train instead of by plane. Saving the planet will also entail significant costs. To achieve and maintain the 1.5 degree target, investments in the energy system amounting to roughly 2.4 trillion dollars will be required over the next 20 years.”

Changing our habits won't be enough

Financial interests will ensure that the countries that signed the Paris Agreement keep their word, Sydsvenskan hopes:

“It's becoming increasingly clear that the price for failing to respect the Agreement will be enormous, also in financial terms. The IPCC has established that the economy will be seriously hit by 2030. Structural changes encompassing society as a whole are also needed. Meeting the challenges simply on the individual level won't be enough. The burden must not be borne solely by the more afraid or more conscientious. If we end our dependence on fossil fuels we will be on the verge of a historic paradigm shift. Taking fewer family holidays that involve air travel demonstrates commitment. But to be effective the paradigm change must also take place on the national and international level.”

No shortage of tools

Berlingske puts forward two proposals for slowing down global warming:

“Basically the fight against climate looks hopeless. Nevertheless, reducing CO2 emissions will be possible if politicians are willing to use the tools that are already in the toolbox. One option is to introduce a global carbon tax that would encourage investors to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. A second option would be to reach political agreements that don't necessarily include all countries, but only those that are ready to set the bar a little higher. That would then set the direction.”

Nuclear power has enormous potential

Nuclear power must play a significant role in the fight against climate change, Kauppalehti argues:

“Oil consumption has never been as high as it is today. And other fossil fuels also play a major role: four-fifths of the energy consumed globally is produced using fossil fuels. ... We can already see that renewable energies are more profitable today than in the past, even without subsidies. If the goal is to increase the use of renewable energies, nuclear energy - which is practically emissions-free - will also have to play a major role. The production potential nuclear power is so large that it must not go untapped.”